Cal’s Jared Goff in mix for Rams at No. 1

Cal quarterback Jared Goff could be staying in his home state, even if it’s unlikely he’ll drop to the 49ers at No. 7 in the draft.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Rams traded their No. 15 selection — as well as two second-round picks, a third-round pick and their first- and third-round picks next year — to the Titans for the No. 1 spot. Tennessee also gave up its fourth-round and sixth-round selections.

The consensus is that Los Angeles would mortgage such a large chunk of its future only to take a franchise-caliber quarterback. The two possibilities are Goff and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. Multiple NFL sources told The Chronicle they believe the Rams will select Goff.

“If Goff goes No. 1, I think it’s the level of competition,” ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan said. “Cal is Division I, Pac-12. North Dakota State is (FCS), and that’s a big jump for a player from that position.”

Goff could fit well as the face of a Los Angeles franchise in transition after moving from St. Louis. As the articulate, record-setting quarterback for the state’s flagship university, the Novato native figures to be a popular choice among new Rams fans. The feel-good vibes of a relocation would ease the pressure on Goff, who trained in Irvine — a short trip from the Rams’ Ventura County headquarters.

The secondaries of the NFC West could present issues for him, sure, but Goff would benefit from a solid stable of running backs that features reigning Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley.

The Rams are far from set behind center. Case Keenum, who completed 60.8 percent of his passes last season for 828 yards, four touchdowns and an interception, is the presumptive starter. Behind him are Nick Foles and Sean Mannion, two quarterbacks who hardly inspire confidence.

So it is no surprise that Los Angeles has long studied Goff and Wentz, both of whom participated in private workouts with the team.

“We were the first ones in,” head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters Thursday at a news conference. Though general manager Les Snead said that the “hay is in the barn” in terms of research, he added that there “will be suspense” when L.A. comes on the clock April 28.

What appears clear is that, even if the Rams take Wentz, Goff probably won’t fall to No. 3. Cleveland needs a quarterback as much as any team. Goff or Wentz, both owners of clean records, could help the Browns move past the bad press of the Johnny Manziel era.

If Los Angeles selects him, Goff would follow quarterback Steve Bartkowski (1975) as the second Cal player to go with the first pick. Two Cal players — linebacker Les Richter (1952) and defensive end Sherman White (1972) — have been taken second overall.

“I think, at the end of the day, teams do see both Goff and Wentz as franchise quarterbacks,” Caplan said. “Teams don’t necessarily feel like there’s a huge difference between either guy.”